I love the sound of that loping/chopping street rod. I have a 62 F100 292 yblock. Had it checked out by a trusted mechanic and he says engine is in good shape, no need to rebuild. So my dilemma is that I want that more aggressive cam without the rebuild.
What is necessary to replace the stock cam with a more aggressive one? I mentioned to my mech that I'd like a new cam and he said "no problem we can do that with the engine in the truck, just pull off timing stuff etc." I'm not sure he understood. Is it that easy to replace the stock cam with performance cam? Or do I need to change some things? And will this put me near the "might as well go ahead and rebuild the whole thing" territory?

 

You need to find a new mechanic, he doesn't have a clue. Changing the cam in a Y block doesn't work like that, A new cam will need new lifters also and you can't do that with the engine in the truck..

 

^^^^^^^^^^

 

It can and has been done. However, many who have done it say it is easier to remove the engine. The guy probably doesn't know what is involved. I wouldn't jump to finding a new mechanic, yet. Not everyone knows but he needs to be willing to learn and do it at a fair price. You also need to be willing to pay a fair price.

Another thing, a big lopey cam isn't going to be a good match for the engine unless you make other modifications. You'll need more compression, more carb, different gearing, possible head work depending on the lift. The lope might sound cool but performing like a dog because nothing else matches can wear that down pretty quickly. A good cam would be a copy of the standard 1957 cam. Or something like an Isky E4, pn 301444 would be a good step up from the '57 cam. Both of those should work fine with the current configuration. Save the lopey cam until you can build an engine for it.
The E4 has a more performance sound to it but I would not say that it is lopey; it sounds bigger than stock but not really aggressive, either. I hope that's clear. Not sure how to describe it.

 

Thanks!
I'm just overly excited at the start of this massive project (my 62) I have a lot to do and want to know everything I possibly can so I can plot a good course.

 

A hot cam in a stock engine is a classic mistake as Charlie points out. Y-blocks sound pretty wicked with dual exhaust and "glass packs", I'd try that first.

 

I'm definitely going to install a new free flowing exhaust and see how it sounds first! I have my eye on a couple headers, maybe the Ram Horns if I can find them cheap somewhere.